Tony Frissore’s new single “Bad Strategies” arrives with urgency, clarity, and a deep groove that refuses to let the message drift into the background. Released on December 19, 2025, the track is a funk driven reflection on leadership, power, and accountability, shaped by an artist who understands both musical tradition and modern tension.
From the opening bars, “Bad Strategies” locks into a tight rhythmic pocket. The drums and bass form a steady, confident backbone, while guitar stabs and layered keys add color and movement. The groove is infectious, rooted in classic funk but filtered through a contemporary acid jazz and nu jazz sensibility. At 120 BPM, the song moves with purpose rather than rush, giving the music space to breathe while keeping listeners engaged.
What sets “Bad Strategies” apart is how seamlessly Frissore balances sound and substance. This is not protest music built on slogans, nor is it funk for funk’s sake. Instead, the track explores a broader and more unsettling question: when leaders make poor or immoral decisions, who bears the cost? Frissore avoids naming names or pointing to specific events, which gives the song a timeless quality. The theme feels current, but it could apply to any moment where authority clashes with principle.
Midway through the track, a standout organ solo takes center stage. It is expressive and unhurried, acting as both a musical release and a moment of reflection. The solo feels almost conversational, as if the instrument itself is responding to the tension built earlier in the song. It is a reminder of Frissore’s jazz background and his respect for musicianship as a storytelling tool.
Lyrically and conceptually, “Bad Strategies” is direct without being heavy handed. The core idea, that when strategies fail, the people pay, lands with weight because it is framed as a question rather than a declaration. There is an underlying hope that those in power will remember their oaths and responsibilities, even when pressure mounts. That sense of moral crossroads gives the song emotional depth beyond its danceable surface.
Frissore’s background helps explain the track’s confidence. Educated in Boston and New Orleans, shaped by funk, jazz, and jam culture, and seasoned through years of global exposure via television placements and international listeners, he brings a worldly perspective to his music. His experience in electronic, hip hop, and down tempo projects also shows in the track’s clean production and modern edge.
“Bad Strategies” succeeds because it understands funk’s original purpose. It moves the body, but it also speaks to the moment. Frissore proves that groove can still carry meaning, and that music can question power without losing its sense of joy or rhythm. This is a timely, thoughtful release that invites listeners to dance, think, and listen a little closer.